Investigation of the Influence of Air Defense Artillery on Combat Pilot Suppression and Attrition Management Practices
Abstract
Performance under combat conditions should equal the best levels achieved under training conditions. However, wartime performance may be degraded by the suppressive (psychological, indirect, or deterrent) effect of enemy weapons. This report examines the effect of air defense artillery (ADA) on air- to-ground missions. The methodology focuses on searches of the stress-and- performance and aviation combat literature, pilot interviews, and analysis of aviation tactics. A definitional framework of the concepts of actual and virtual suppression and attrition is presented. Command-and-control attrition management practices are examined, and examples from recent and past warfare are provided. Suppression was studied from the points of view of the performance-in-dangerous environments literature and cockpit workload. Examples of air-crew reactions to air defense artillery are included, and a summary chart lists pilot and mission characteristics influencing accuracy in weapons delivery. The authors conclude that (a) effective ADA can indirectly affect the otherwise effective firepower of attack aircraft through attrition management-safer attack profiles to preserve pilot and aircraft resources, (b) high cockpit workload in a threat- rich environment can contribute to suppression of pilot performance because of task overload, and (c) pilot-induced practices influence pilot performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA252249
Entities
People
- Donald B. Headley
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences